Our Team
Cassie Ayoungman (she/her)
President and Founder
Cassie Ayoungman is a proud Niitsitapi climber from Siksika Nation, AB.
She discovered the outdoors in her mid twenties and noticed a lack of diversity. It made her question why that is. This is what sparked her into developing programs.
Climbing has given her the opportunity to explore and connect with her ancestral lands. Cassie's relationship with climbing has grown over the years and has led to become both a teacher and a healer.
“Climbing has taught me to be more than capable of facing and conquering my fears. The challenge of climbing has taught me to breathe through cruxes and find strength. Moving in and out of my comfort zone while travelling in the mountains helps with my self-growth.
By starting Soul of Miistaki, I have been able to share my passion of this healing practice of exploring our beautiful and sacred backyard with my community.”
Coralia Sevilla (she/her/ella)
Vice President and Program Facilitator
Coralia Diane Sevilla is a school teacher and a part-time climber instructor with the Calgary Climber Centre. Education and Outdoor recreation have been significant fields of work for Coralia because of the lack of representation of visible minorities in these industries. In her youth, Coralia didn’t see her cultural values as a Mestiza woman appreciated. Now, she uses her roles to ensure that many people feel acknowledged and valued more holistically.
“Soul of Miistaki represents a safe place that allows me to emotionally connect with the land and learn about different cultures through my peers in a way that humanizes and values our personal journeys.”
Coralia feels empowered to support others to build upon their skills within their outdoors pursuits and pay forward her opportunities through Soul Of Miistaki. Through working with Soul of Miistaki, Coralia hopes to continue building a community around her and pushing herself outside of her comfort zone with her outdoor and personal goals.
Photo Credit : Camille Santiago
Lexie Obey (she/her)
Grant Writer and Secretary
Lexie, a dedicated youth worker, silviculturist, and community organizer, proudly identifies as Nehhiyaw from Piapot First Nations in Saskatchewan (paternal side) and Michif (maternal side). Lexie has been actively involved in supporting Indigenous youth in healing center environments since 2018.
With a deep passion for land-based experiences, Lexie initiated a grassroots Indigenous Youth Climbing Program in Regina, SK, in 2021, fostering connections with Indigenous youth through movement. She sees Soul of Miistaki as an organization closely aligned with her values of community cultivation and fostering relationships with the land. Infusing intentionality and gratitude into her programming, Lexie aims to extend her enthusiasm for climbing and trail running to fellow BIPOC community members while serving as a steward for the lands we reside and recreate on.